UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee members call for halt of executions in Iran​

​UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee members call for halt of executions in Iran Monday, 17 August 2015 http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/human-rights/18953-un-human-rights-council-advisory-committeemembers-call-for-halt-of-executions-in-iran In a joint statement, seven members of the Advisory Committee of the United Nations Human Rights Council expressed concerns about the „violations of human rights in Iran that have continued unabated for three decades‟ and urged „all countries to make respect of Human Rights a precondition for their relations with Iran.‟ „Iranian refugees living abroad are faced with a variety of conspiracies and suppressive measures by the Iranian regime. Ashraf and Liberty, Camps of Iranian refugees in Iraq which in principal are protected under the Fourth Geneva Convention have been faced with numerous attacks in recent years at the behest of the Iranian regime and are currently under siege. Since 2009, 143 inhabitants of the camps have been killed or have died due to the medical blockade imposed,‟ the statement said. Below is the text of the statement signed by seven members of the Advisory Committee the United Nations Human Rights Council: Executions in Iran and the increasing trend in the systematic violation of human rights is a matter of great concern Violations of human rights in Iran have continued unabated for three decades. With over 1800 executions since Rouhani assumed office, Iran ranks first in the world in executions per capita and it executes the greatest number of juveniles. Amnesty international reported on July 23, 2015: “The Iranian authorities are believed to have executed an astonishing 694 people between 1 January and 15 July 2015, said Amnesty International today, in an unprecedented spike in executions in the country.” Amnesty International continues: “This is equivalent to executing more than three people per day… Iran‟s staggering execution toll for the first half of this year paints a sinister picture of the machinery of the state carrying out premeditated, judiciarysanctioned killings on a mass scale.” Iran ranks first in the execution of juveniles. Execution of ethnic and religious minorities has regrettably increased. A number of Christian pastors have been imprisoned for defending their beliefs. Violation of the rights of minorities, women‟s rights, civil rights and anti-democratic foundations have been inscribed into the constitution and laws of the country. Iran is the largest prison for journalists in the Middle East and currently holds dozens of journalists in detention. Iran is also one of the primary customers of censorship and filtering equipment for the internet and it has blocked around five million websites on subjects of art, social issues, and news. It also censors weblogs and social networks. In summer of 1988, following a fatwa by Khomeini, 30,000 political prisoners who refused to abandon their political beliefs were massacred. Human rights organizations have described it as a „crime against humanity‟. Those responsible for this massacre, including the present Minister of Justice, hold key positions in the government of Hassan Rouhani. On August 5, 2015 the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed his concern about the situation of human rights, especially the executions in Iran, and said: “Iran‟s use of the death penalty has long been problematic.” His Excellency the UN High Commissioner Zeid Ra‟ad Al Hussein added: “For an individual to be sentenced to death for peaceful exercise of freedom of expression, religion or belief is an absolute outrage – and a clear violation of international human rights law”. “I urge the Government of Iran to immediately impose a moratorium on all executions and to work with us and other partners on alternative strategies to combat crime,” Zeid said. Iranian refugees living abroad are faced with a variety of conspiracies and suppressive measures by the Iranian regime. Ashraf and Liberty, Camps of Iranian refugees in Iraq which in principal are protected under the Fourth Geneva Convention have been faced with numerous attacks in recent years at the behest of the Iranian regime and are currently under siege. Since 2009, 143 inhabitants of the camps have been killed or have died due to the medical blockade imposed. We the signatories of this statement share the concern of His Excellency the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and support his appeal of August 5, 2015. We urge the employment of all legal international instruments to bring to a halt Iran‟s executions. We urge all countries of the United Nations to make of the respect of Human Rights a precondition for their relations with Iran. Signatories: Jean Zeigler, Mohamed Bennani Alfred Ntunduguru Karokora Chnagrok Soh Oblora Chinedu Okafor Hoda Elsadda Anantonia Reyes Prado